When the UN deadlocks, humanitarian NGOs step in

Even as world leaders gathered at the United Nations in New York last week, we learned a difficult lesson: The U.N. is not the most efficient deliverer of humanitarian assistance. With massive humanitarian crises in conflict zones across the globe, we should be relying more heavily on non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that are not affiliated with the U.N.

Syria is a case in point.

Russia, using its position as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, has repeatedly vetoed the opening of border crossings to deliver urgently needed aid into Syria. The last time Russia did so was on July 11, when it vetoed the continuing use of the Bab Al-Hawa crossing, through which 85 percent of aid deliveries are made to Northwest Syria, and where more than 2 million displaced people live.

Russia has invoked Syria’s sovereignty as its excuse for the veto. Fortunately, this time, the U.N. was able to reach an agreement with the Syrian government to continue using that crossing for another six months. In addition, the Bab Al-Salamah and Al Raai crossings, where earthquake relief was routed through Turkey, were extended until Nov. 13.

But this reprieve is temporary, demonstrating how vulnerable to politics U.N.-affiliated humanitarian aid organizations have become — and how tenuous the routes through which they make their deliveries can be. 

In contrast, NGOs working independently are often able to deliver more aid, with more speed and efficiency, than the U.N. For example, in 2014, Mercy Corps sent 688 trucks into Syria, compared with only 422 sent by all U.N. agencies combined. According to the Syrian American Medical Association, the Turkish Red Crescent sent 297 trucks in just two weeks, compared with 207 sent by the U.N. in four months.

Likewise, since 2013, the Multifaith Alliance (MFA) — where we serve as founder/chair and spokesperson — has been making continuous deliveries in the face of multiple border-crossing shutdowns. From 2016 to 2018, working innovatively with the Israeli Defense Forces, MFA made massive aid deliveries into difficult-to-access Southwest Syria via the Golan Heights. Since 2018, it has kept up a flow of aid to Northwest and Northeast Syria. Operating outside the U.N. system as a small NGO, it has delivered more than $415 million worth of aid, most of it directly into Syria, that has benefited nearly 4 million war victims. 

Unhampered by U.N. bureaucracy, NGOs can be more agile and mobilize faster than large organizations. They can make decisions more quickly and can access remote areas. Many have strong community ties and are more familiar with local needs — knowledge that enables their aid to get to the intended recipients, rather than being diverted by corrupt governments and middlemen. 

The Russian and Syrian governments can block access to areas they do not control. But NGOs, which are not subject to the constraints of Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter, can operate in the crevices.

By prioritizing state sovereignty and requiring the consent of the affected government, Chapter VII inadvertently creates roadblocks to the delivery of humanitarian aid, as is the case in Syria. The Security Council must pass a resolution to deliver aid and, under Chapter VII, it can use all possible means to enforce it. But any such resolution is likely to be vetoed by Russia. Independent NGOs provide a means to circumvent this conundrum. 

Syria remains one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. After 12 years of conflict, the brutally suppressed rebellion has caused Syria to drop 42 places on the Human Development Index. The country has sunk into poverty, and 15.3 million of its people are in dire need of humanitarian aid. Their situation is exacerbated by an ongoing cholera outbreak and climatic shocks.

Independent NGOs can provide a solution — especially in areas outside the regime’s control, which contain some of Syria’s most vital resources, including oil. It is in the security interest of the U.S. and the entire West that these beleaguered regions be stabilized.

None of this is to deny the crucial role that the U.N. system plays in alleviating suffering in cascading humanitarian crises. But independent NGOs deserve equal attention and resources so that they can bring their particular strengths to bear in delivering aid where it is needed. 

Georgette F. Bennett is founder and chair of the Multifaith Alliance. She is the author of “Thou Shalt Not Stand Idly By: How One Woman Confronted the Greatest Humanitarian Crisis of Our Time.” F. Murray Abraham is an Oscar-winning actor of Syrian descent who is the spokesperson for the Multifaith Alliance.